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Local news for Brevard County and the Space Coast

Guides

Hurricane Prep for Brevard

Find your evacuation zone, learn how Brevard's shelters work, stock your kit with the county's checklist and sign up for official alerts before a storm is on the way.

Last reviewed October 25, 2026 Β· 10 official sources

Hurricane Prep

Reviewed October 25, 2026

Step one: know your zone

When an Atlantic hurricane threatens, a mandatory evacuation is called for Zone A: the barrier islands, Merritt Island and some low-lying mainland areas 1

2-1-1Community Information HotlineShelters, sandbags and evacuation routes before, during and after a storm
Season
June 1 – Nov. 30
Water
1 gal. a person a day, 3+ days
Food
3-day supply or more
Live Storm Info
Our Hurricanes page

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 3010. Brevard County Emergency Management says that for a hurricane you might have only a day or two to get ready, which is why planning ahead matters1.

Satellite view of Hurricane Ian approaching Florida at sunset, September 27, 2022
Image: NOAA (GOES-East satellite), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. NOAA does not endorse this site.

Explore This Guide

Get Official Alerts

AlertBrevard

Free sign-up
  • The county's emergency calls, texts and emails. Calls go only to landlines unless you add your cell number, so register it.

Sources: 4 3

Text BrevardEOC to 888777

Text alerts
  • Emergency Management text updates; normal text rates apply.

Source: 3

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Automatic
  • Capable phones get these automatically and free, for imminent threats such as hurricane, tornado and extreme wind warnings.

Source: 3

NOAA Weather Radio

Best for warnings
  • The county calls it the most effective way to get official weather warnings. It lists Brevard's primary frequency as 162.5550 MHz, with SAME/FIPS code 012009 for programming.

Source: 3

Brevard Storm Center

Live status
  • Evacuation orders, open shelters, sandbag sites, closures and key phone numbers during a storm.

Source: 5

NHC and NWS Melbourne

Forecasts
  • The National Hurricane Center's outlooks and forecasts, and the NWS Melbourne office that covers Brevard.

Sources: 8 9

On the Wire: track storms on our Hurricanes page, watch rain bands on Live Radar and check conditions on Weather.

Numbers to Keep

WhoNumber
Emergency or life safety9-1-1
Community Information Hotline2-1-1
FPL power outages(800) 468-8243
Florida Information Line (active during disasters)(800) 342-3557
Report price gouging(866) 966-7226
FEMA(800) 621-3362

Source: 5

Storm debris: unincorporated residents use the county's debris page, and city residents check their city's website; both are linked from the Storm Center5.

Common Questions

Do I have to evacuate if I live on the mainland?

Zone A includes some low-lying mainland areas, and the county says anyone in a mobile or manufactured home, or in a low-lying or flood-prone area, should leave too. Check your address on the zone map1.

Can I bring my pet to a shelter?

Only to a pet-friendly shelter, and only once officials announce it's open. Pets are not allowed in special needs shelters1.

Where do I get sandbags?

During a storm threat, the county posts sandbag operations on its Storm Center. When there's no threat, it suggests hardware or home improvement stores, or alternatives like bags of mulch or dirt5.

Sources 10
  1. Brevard County Emergency Management: Have a Plan (zones, evacuation, shelters, special needs)
  2. Brevard County Emergency Management: Build a Kit
  3. Brevard County Emergency Management: Stay Informed
  4. Brevard County: Sign Up for AlertBrevard
  5. Brevard County Storm Center (evacuations, shelters, sandbags, closures, contacts)
  6. Florida Division of Emergency Management: Know Your Zone
  7. Ready.gov (FEMA): Build a Kit
  8. National Hurricane Center
  9. National Weather Service Melbourne
  10. Space Coast Office of Tourism: Visitor Information

Last reviewed October 25, 2026. Fees, hours and rules change; check the official source before you go. Spot something out of date? Let us know through Corrections.

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